US Department of Justice opposed to Google book plan

19:39 8th February 2010

The US government has turned down Google's revised plan to create a massive digital library because it posed potential copyright and antitrust concerns.

"The amended settlement agreement still confers significant and possibly anti-competitive advantages on Google as a single entity," said the Department of Justice (DoJ).

It added that the deal would allow the search giant to monopolise the "digital marketplace with the rights to distribute and otherwise exploit a vast array of works in multiple formats."

Last year, the search giant was forced to revise details of its plan to scan and distribute millions of books online following objections by the DoJ.

A hearing on the settlement has been scheduled for February 18th.

In other news, Google has released a beta version of Social Search, a new facility that enables internet users to personalise their searches by including content from friends and online peers.

"We think there is tremendous potential for social information to improve search, and we are just beginning to scratch the surface," wrote Social Search team members at a blog post.

Written by Paul Davis

ADNFCR-1667-ID-19604008-ADNFCR